wndr3300 looses mbps by half

Have you tested with a wired connection through the router? This might/would allow you to determine if the problem is the router or the WiFi. Also - when using WiFi, what is your connect speed?

fordem wrote:
Have you tested with a wired connection through the router? This might/would allow you to determine if the problem is the router or the WiFi. Also - when using WiFi, what is your connect speed?

I have tested direct and I get full mbps..and since my post I have changed the security of the router to AES and the Vista speed status is now 270 ..up from the 54 mbps it was and I am getting my full speed from Cox..
BUT on the W7 laptop, there is no change..and in the status section I see the ipv6 has no connection ..does that have something to do with it? Any help appreciated as I am flying way over my head but still trying.

Reading on Netgear, I changed my MODE to up to 270 at 2.4 GJz and that automatically changed my 11N Channel to 3 and blocked out the options to change the 11G set to 11/2.4 GHz and I cannot change that now..The good news is that I am getting full speed on both laptops now but I am confused.

This is a dual band router..is the BAND the g/n or the GHz of 2.4 or 5 GHz? With this setting, I guess I am only used the 2.4 GHz as the light on the router for the 5 GHz is no longer lit.. So if the BAND is the GHz why am I setting it to use only one?

Can someone clarify this for me so I understand what I am doing?

Dual band refers to the frequency bands - 2.4 & 5 GHz - the g & n are WiFi specifications or standards. 802.11g allows a connection on the 2.4GHz band only at connection speeds up to 54 mbps, 802.11n allows for connections on both bands and connection speeds of up to 600 mbps. I want to make it very clear that when the standards specify a connection speed, the use the words "up to", which indicates this is a maximum possible speed and not necessarily the speed you will connect at, or even should expect to connect at. Pay attention also to the words "allow for" - the 802.11n standard allow for many options, and this enables manufacturers to claim their equipment as compliant with the standard even though, because the equipment meets only the minimum requirements of the standard, it is incapable of delivering the maximum performance that the standard allows for. There are also options (for example encryption type) that may restrict performance - if you chose WEP as your encryption, that would prevent you from connecting at speeds higher than 54mbps - and configuration settings that may have similar effects. The sad state of affairs is that WiFi technology has become so complex that installing & maintaining a wireless network for is no longer a job for the technologically "un-savvy" consumer, and this is only going to get worse with the coming of the new 802.11ac standard. In my mind the time has come for the user to decide if they want to spend the time to learn the technology or spend the money for someone who has done so.

Thank you for your reply..I think I am starting to get it but if the n allows you to use the faster 5GHz why does Netgear tell you to set your dual band to only the 2.4?
Netgear said : Check the Wireless mode set on your WNDR3300 configuration page. If it is set to “Up to 270 Mbps at 5GHz & 54 Mbps at 2.4GHz”, the maximum rate you can connect is 54 Mbps. Change the mode to “Up to 270 Mbps at 2.4 GHz” on your router to let your wireless adapter connect at higher rates.
This setting, as I said, did give me better speeds far above the 54 Mbps (not that I really see the difference in general use or game use) but then does it not negate the reason for the dual band?

The WNDR3300 does not allow for simultaneous operation of the 802.11n standard in both bands, which is typical of routers marketed in that era. You have to make a choice between 802.11n connect speed in the 2.4GHz band and 802.11a connect speed in the 5GHz band, or 802.11g connect speed in the 2.4GHz band and 802.11n connect speed in the 5GHz band. Does it negate the reason for dual bands - in my opinion - NO. The 2.4 GHz band has greater range (compared to 5 GHz) and as a result, when in areas where there is a high density of WiFi networks is more prone to interference from adjacent networks, the 5GHz band, because of the increased attenuation that occurs at the higher frequencies has less range (compared to 2.4 GHz) and as a result is less likely to suffer from interference. Although current routers do allow simultaneous operation in both bands, it's not something I would advocate - using both bands when only one is required simply adds to the "WiFi congestion" in the area - if you don't have an interference issue use the 2.4 GHz band for the range, if you have an interference issue, try the 5GHz band - if it can provide the coverage you need, use it.

thank you for a most informative answer..so I guess it is a trial and error thing..I think I will leave as I have it set per the suggestions of Netgear until I see a problem.

Can you tell me how I can identify "Interferrence"..would this be if my game locks up or I loose connection or something of that sort or just slowness of connection.. Would changing the channel from the 3 to another make things better if I do see such interferrence?